Multifunctional nozzle assembly for agricultural vehicles

Abstract

Multifunctional nozzle assembly systems and methods are disclosed. An example includes a mounting block having a first mounting location and a second mounting location. A plurality of interchangeable mounting adapters are provided for mounting to the first mounting location. Each mounting adapter has an input and mounting hardware for coupling to a spray system of a particular vehicle type such as a sprayer or planter and an outlet for coupling to the mounting block. A plurality of interchangeable nozzles are provided for mounting to the second mounting location of the mounting block. Each nozzle has an input for coupling to the mounting block, an output, and a shuttle for modulating flow rate through the output. The nozzle outputs differ based on the particular vehicle type. The mounting block includes a stepper motor that interfaces with the shuttle of each of the nozzles to modulate the flow rate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multifunctional nozzle assembly system, comprising:
 a universal mounting block including a first mounting location and a second mounting location;   one or more interchangeable mounting adapters configured for coupling with the first mounting location, each of the one or more interchangeable mounting adapters including an input component for connecting to a liquid system of a particular vehicle type and an outlet component for coupling to the mounting block;   one or more interchangeable nozzle bodies configured for coupling with the second mounting location, each of the one or more interchangeable nozzle bodies including an input fitting for coupling to the mounting block and a nozzle base and a shuttle for modulating flow rate through the nozzle base; and   wherein the universal mounting block further includes an operator and a control, the operator capable of interfacing with the shuttle of each of the one or more interchangeable nozzle bodies to modulate the flow rate through the respective nozzle body.   
     
     
         2 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting block includes a first section housing the operator and controller and a second section extending from the first section, where in the second section includes the first mounting location and the second mounting location, wherein the first mounting location is positioned opposite of the second mounting location. 
     
     
         3 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting block includes a flow meter positioned between the first mounting location and the second mounting location. 
     
     
         4 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 3 , wherein the flow meter and operator are communicatively coupled to a CAN bus. 
     
     
         5 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 3 , wherein the mounting block includes a communications port for coupling to a CAN bus. 
     
     
         6 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more interchangeable mounting adapters includes:
 a first interchangeable mounting adapter having first mounting hardware for connecting to structure of a sprayer, wherein the input component of the first interchangeable mounting adapter is capable of connecting to the liquid system of the sprayer; and   a second interchangeable mounting adapter having second mounting hardware for connecting to structure of a planter; wherein the input component of the second interchangeable mounting adapter is capable of connecting to the liquid system of the planter;   wherein the output component of the first interchangeable mounting adapter and the output component of the second interchangeable mounting adapter have a similar physical characteristic so that the first interchangeable mounting adapter and the second interchangeable mounting adapter can be interchangeably coupled with the mounting block.   
     
     
         7 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more interchangeable nozzle bodies includes:
 a first interchangeable nozzle body having a first shuttle;   a second interchangeable nozzle body having a second shuttle; and   wherein the input fitting of the first interchangeable nozzle body and the input fitting of the second interchangeable nozzle body have a similar physical characteristic so that the first interchangeable nozzle body and the second interchangeable nozzle body can be interchangeably coupled with the mounting block;   wherein the nozzle base of the first interchangeable nozzle body and the nozzle base of the second interchangeable nozzle body are different.   
     
     
         8 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 7 , wherein the nozzle base for the first interchangeable nozzle body is for use with a sprayer and the nozzle base for the second interchangeable nozzle body is for use with a planter. 
     
     
         9 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller variably controls the first shuttle and the second shuttle to variably control the first interchangeable nozzle body in a different manner than the second interchangeable nozzle body. 
     
     
         10 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 8 , wherein the nozzle base of the first interchangeable nozzle body includes a connection element for connecting to different types of nozzle attachments having different spray patterns or droplet sizing. 
     
     
         11 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 8 , wherein the nozzle base of the second interchangeable nozzle body includes a connection element for connecting to different types of nozzle attachments having different sized fixed openings. 
     
     
         12 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 1 , further including one or more assembly kits, each assembly kit including a particular first mounting adapter for connecting to the liquid system of a particular vehicle type and a paired interchangeable nozzle body with the nozzle base of the paired interchangeable nozzle body being matched to the particular vehicle type. 
     
     
         13 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more assembly kits includes a first assembly kit for a sprayer as the particular vehicle type and a second assembly kit for a planter as the particular vehicle type. 
     
     
         14 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 1 , further including an attachment mechanism for securing the mounting adapter to the mounting block. 
     
     
         15 . The multifunctional nozzle assembly system of  claim 1 , further including an attachment mechanism for securing the nozzle body to the mounting block. 
     
     
         16 . An assembly method for a nozzle assembly system, comprising:
 providing a universal mounting block including a first mounting location and a second mounting location;   connecting an output component of a first interchangeable mounting adapter to the first mounting location of the mounting block, wherein the first interchangeable mounting adapter is configured for use with a first vehicle type; and   connecting an input fitting of a first interchangeable nozzle body to the second mounting location of the mounting block; wherein the first interchangeable nozzle body is configured for use with the first vehicle type.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 connecting mounting hardware of the first interchangeable mounting adapter to a part of the first vehicle type; and   connecting an input component of the first interchangeable mounting adapter to a liquid system of the first vehicle type.   
     
     
         18 . The assembly method of  claim 17 , wherein connecting the input fitting of a first interchangeable nozzle body to the second mounting location aligns an operator of the universal mounting block with a shuttle of the first interchangeable nozzle body for modulating flow rate through the nozzle body. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly method of  claim 17 , further including connecting a nozzle attachment to a nozzle base of the first interchangeable nozzle body. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 disconnecting the output component of the first interchangeable mounting adapter from the mounting block;   disconnecting the input fitting of the first interchangeable nozzle body from the mounting block;   connecting an output component of a second interchangeable mounting adapter to the first mounting location of the mounting block, wherein the second interchangeable mounting adapter is configured for use with a second vehicle type;   different than the first vehicle type; and   connecting an input fitting of a second interchangeable nozzle body to the second mounting location of the mounting block; wherein the second interchangeable nozzle body is configured for use with a second vehicle type different than the first vehicle type;   wherein the output component of the first interchangeable mounting adapter and the output component of the second interchangeable mounting adapter have a similar physical configuration allowing for interchangeability with the mounting block; and   wherein the input fitting of the first nozzle body and the input fitting of the second nozzle body have a similar physical configuration allowing for interchangeability with the mounting block.